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Questions about using marble

04:54PM | 03/11/03

Member Since: 11/02/02
72 lifetime posts

Questions about using marble

I wandered around the local homestore today looking at tile options for a bathroom floor. After looking about a bit, I came across marble tiles. I like the look, and I think I want to go with marble instead of ceramic. To that end, I have some questions:

* The subfloor is 3/4" plywood. It's water damaged, and I'll be replacing it. Should I also install some sort of cement board on top of that?

* For ceramic tile, I see all sorts of shapes to manage edges and walls etc. Bullnose tiles are a good example. I see no bullnose for marble. I assume with marble that I just have to live with the sawed-off edge no matter what, right?

* With respect to my previous question, sometimes I see tile floors where the tile goes up the wall slightly. If I do that with marble, the cut edge facing upwards won't be polished. Is it possible to buy marble tiles with polished edges?

Finally, and on a lighter note, what is it with sand/tan/light brown colors? Probably 3/4s of the tiles at the homestore were some shade of light brown or sand color that I didn't find at all appealing.

Tomorrow I'm headed to a flooring store to see what they have.

Oh, I almost forgot. Can anyone recommend any good books (or websites) on working with ceramic and marble tiles?

Frank B

03:58AM | 03/12/03

Member Since: 03/09/03
32 lifetime posts

a sub base for marble has to be perfect, or any of the vains that you see in the marble will crack.... therefore I'd suggest replacing as much of the sub floor as possible and have a bed poured and have the marble set by a licensed and insured Marble contractor.. if it cracks you've wasted what ever money that you've spent on nice marble..

JonathanGennick

04:33AM | 03/12/03

Member Since: 11/02/02
72 lifetime posts

Thanks. I am, in fact, going to investigate paying to have it installed, in part because I've never installed any sort of tile, much less marble before, and in part because I don't own the right tools. I understand that for marble you need a wet-saw to cut it, that you can't just score it and snap it.

Either today or tomorrow, depending on when I can best spare the time, I'm going to visit a store that specializes in flooring, including tile. I tend to think that might be more helpful than the big-box home store (M e n a r d s in this case).

[This message has been edited by JonathanGennick (edited March 12, 2003).]

ACD

08:57AM | 03/12/03

Member Since: 10/15/02
359 lifetime posts

Well, the tile that store sells happens to be some pretty good stuff for the cost. I installed 40 SF in my bathroom of that kind and it came out great, then again I have done it before and have the tools. The subfloor needs to be minimun of 1 1/4", preferably plywood with cement board screwed down every 6" OC, taped and leveled. Adhesive is the white mix for marble & stone. Tools for this would be a wet saw, 3/4" - 1" arch notched trowel, and for finishing the edges the polishing stones and diamond edger tools. Unsanded grout and seal immediately after grout has cured before using the bathroom.

JonathanGennick

09:32AM | 03/12/03

Member Since: 11/02/02
72 lifetime posts

ACD wrote: and for finishing the edges the polishing stones and diamond edger tools

So there's no such thing as a bullnose marble tile then, right? If I cut a tile and the edge shows, then it sounds like I need to polish the edge. Am I correct in my understanding here?

Where would I even buy such tools?

ACD: Well, the tile that store sells happens to be some pretty good stuff for the cost.

I liked it, actually, and so did my daughter. I only wish someone had been around to answer questions about it.

carpetman

07:48PM | 03/12/03

Member Since: 01/26/03
549 lifetime posts

in my area you could take some tiles to a counter top company,and they could put an edge on the tile for you.